Training and Safety

Helicopter flight degree offered at San Juan College

By Tim McAdams

San Juan College will begin offering helicopter flight training in partnership with Enchantment Helicopters of Albuquerque, N.M., beginning in January 2010.

The program will be designed as an Associate of Applied Science degree in helicopter technology. A certificate program will be available as well for previously degreed students. Training in both programs is expected to cover four semesters. It is anticipated that financial aid will be available to qualified students.

According to Enchantment Helicopters owner Doug Christian, “The degree covers four semesters, at the end of which a student will have logged 200 flight hours and have obtained both private and commercial helicopter flight licenses.” In addition, graduates also will be certificated flight instructors.

“The opportunities in this field are tremendous,” explained Bill Lewis, dean of the School of Trades and Technology, who will oversee the program. “There are a variety of career paths for helicopter pilots—emergency medical services, traffic watch for news bureaus, border patrol, agriculture, construction, offshore drilling, and law enforcement, to mention a few. The diversity of careers in this field . We’re very pleased to partner with Enchantment and are looking forward to this new endeavor which will add depth to our existing flight programs, giving students options in flight training.”

The college will provide the classroom instruction and the degree; Enchantment will provide flight instructors and Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. Enchantment also operates a flight school out of Albuquerque’s Double Eagle Airport.

“Enchantment Helicopters is honored to be working with San Juan College and we look forward to teaching helicopter pilots in this program,” said Enchantment CEO Doug Christian.

For more information see the Web site.

October 8, 2009